How many times have you heard the talking heads about one team or another “wanting it more”?

Well here it is:

football, New Orleans | No Comments »

This was my lunch on Sunday.  Why haven’t I done this before?

food, New Orleans | 3 Comments »

1. Chase Jer, have Jer chase you, hide in round clothes racks until parents or store management make you stop
2. Ride escalators up and down — they’re crisscrossed so you can watch people and throw balls across until parents or store management make you stop (n.b. balls are available in the Sporting Goods section
3. Play keyboards in the electronics section, turn volume down when forced by parents or store management
4. Watch intro screens of Atari tapes, wishing you had a joystick
5. Linger around the creepy popcorn and candy stand near the west entrance.  Wonder, even as a child, who the target market is and what it says about the broader society
6. Proceed to tiny arcade at the west entrance.  Watch intro screens, check coin return slots for quarters

childhood, New Orleans | 3 Comments »

This just breaks my heart. Two years and change since Katrina and where are we in the recovery? The government is trying in earnest to remove the possibility of poor people returning to their homes by systematically destroying public housing in New Orleans. People stood up today to say it wasn’t right, and they were rewarded with mace, tasers and beatings from police. You really must see the video to get the flavor of the injustice. While you’re watching…try to remember Bush speaking in Jackson Square after the disaster:

That is our vision for the future, in this city and beyond: We’ll not just rebuild, we’ll build higher and better.

Should have known the bastard was talking about Condos.

Update: NYT coverage, Live blogging of the vote at NOLA.com

Update #2: The vote has not taken place yet, but as of 10 minutes ago, a majority of the council have indicated that they will vote to approve the demolitions

Update #3: Vote results are in.  It’s unanimous!  7-0 in favor of smashing the public housing.  Now home to drink.

katrina, New Orleans | 2 Comments »

Great post on Strange Maps dealing with the 20th century history of Sarejevo.

The post is certainly interesting in general.  One part that resonated with me was their application of the term “Urbicide” — the killing of a city.  Examples given were Sarejevo, Gaza, and New Orleans.  Lovely to see the language evolve, eh?

New Orleans | 3 Comments »

bush, katrina, New Orleans | No Comments »

To Be Continued Brass Band 

music, New Orleans | 1 Comment »

Two years ago today, Katrina made landfall. The levees broke, and my home town was destroyed. President Bush spent the morning thumbing around on a guitar with some country music star who’s name I forget…or never knew.

Today Bush is in New Orleans again for his picture taking and empty promises. There is nothing I can say to express my rage and disappointment.

Shelley Midura, a New Orleans councilwoman, sent an open letter to Bush yesterday, which I hope everyone will read. It incredibly captures the bitterness and frustration of the current situation without descending into the dark pit of fury and anger. She’s well spoken and reasonable, and displays the kind of leadership which New Orleans has sorely lacked. So I’ll let her words speak for themselves.

katrina, New Orleans | 2 Comments »

With Wednesday being Katrina-day, there’s gonna be a veritable flood of hand-wringing and other assorted wanking.  So be it, but let’s take the good with the bad.  Here’s an excellent piece by Brian Schwaner, the AP’s Louisiana news editor.

katrina, New Orleans | 1 Comment »

Never thought I could laugh at something like Ray Nagin claiming that NOLA’s violence has the upside of “keeping the New Orleans brand ‘out there’” , but this cartoon is very, very funny. Sad…but funny.

New Orleans, politics | No Comments »